NRIs returning to Kerala after losing jobs have become a cause of concern.Photo courtesy : zavia.com

The issue of Non-Resident Indians returning in large numbers after losing jobs in Gulf countries has become a cause of concern and Opposition leader in the Kerala Legislative Assembly has pleaded for immediate intervention in the matter to solve the grievances of returning Indians.

About 2.6 million Indians live in UAE comprising over 25 per cent of total population. Out of these, 40 per cent of Indians are estimated to be from Kerala, earning UAE the epithet of 'Mallu Mecca'. However, many are losing jobs due to uncertainty in the Gulf region and are returning back to their country.

Ramesh Chennithala, Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly has written a letter to Pinarayi Vijayan , Chief Minister of Kerala and sought government urgent intervention in the matter.

Chennithala has alleged that various welfare programmes taken up by the state government for NRK ( Non Resident Keralites) had come to a halt in the last six months.
“A large number of expatriates are returning home after losing jobs due to the crisis in Gulf countries. We have recognised the vital contributions of expatriates to the state's economy. So the chief minister should immediately intervene into their issues and find solutions,” he said.

“Though a state NRI Commission was formed during the previous UDF government for the welfare of people, the present government is yet to provide any basic facility for it to begin function,” he added.

“It was believed that the Commission would work toward providing relief to NRKs who return to their home state after losing their jobs. But it is yet to start full-fledged function as neither office facility nor staffs were provided,” he said.

Author

Ashraf Jamal – Senior Writer

Ashraf Jamal brings a rare depth to writing equipped with a degree in journalism, a postgraduate degree in political science, and a degree in law from the Allahabad University. His experience includes editing and publishing the Northern India Patrika and writing for Times of India for almost a decade covering just about any topic under the sun including NRIs and Indian diaspora.